Hindsight Edition: TNA Spike TV Era

 

October 1st, 2005 TNA debuted on Spike TV as part of their Slammin' Saturday Night block with a one hour show. Within a year Impact switched to what has now become it's staple night of Thursdays. Then in 2007 TNA expanded to two hours. The promotion aired on Spike TV until 2014.

Throughout it's 23 year history, TNA has mostly been ridiculed as a promotion, that's mostly changed within the last 2-3 years. They've had missteps like overrelying on former WWE/WCW wrestlers, building around Jeff Jarrett (all his ego). Nonsensical storylines, bad management through several eras and so much more. Yet, the company is still kicking and the foundation for that was laid during it's time on Spike.

During the companies time on Spike TV, from a pure wrestling standpoint may have been the greatest time in the company's history. We got what I call the "forefathers of the X division" in Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and the phenomenal AJ Styles. In their prime putting in highly athletic and dazzling matches alongside guys like Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt among others.

The Knockout division was developed and stole the show on TNA in the early days of Impact on Spike. Long before WWE decided to start a #divasrevolution. Awesome Kong and Gail Kim spearheaded the division with their rivarily and man did it get brutal. You had standouts like The Beautiful People, ODB, Tara, Madison Rayne and more. Who showed when given a chance female wrestlers could go toe to toe in the ring.

Christian Cage rejuvenated his career and proved he could be a major player during his time in TNA. At 51 he's still a serviceable wrestler but an a amazing character in aew. The famous "Perc Angle" era of Kurt Angle's career occured TNA's run on Spike. He put on some amazing matches during that time. Bobby Roode ending his friendship and turning on James Storm is a memorable Impact moment.

The beloved and legendary Steiner Math promo is a fixture of Impact's history. Jay Lethal and Ric Flair's wooo off . Sting's highly underrated Joker inspired run occured during this period. 

That run of TNA Impact on Spike TV from say 2006 to 2012-2011 is some of the best times in the company's history, even with the negative baggage it's carried. While it may have truly reached the heights of a legit #2 promotion, being on Spike helped TNA grow and find it's footing of how it wanted to present pro wrestling. 

I'd encourage you to check out any old episodes from that time period if you've never seen it, or just need to refresh your memory. In hindsight TNA on Spike TV was a time to be alive!